sdupont's Reviews (551)

Wild Side

Elsie Silver

4.5

emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Elsie just knows how to write a compelling romance! While this one started off a little slow for me, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the unique twist of antagonists to marriage of convenience with a commitment to co-parent. Rhys really was just a shy sweet softy (outside of the bedroom and wresting ring!). He was a great fit for Tabby who was fierce. I loved seeing them break down each other’s and their own walls as they fell in love. Their vulnerability allowed their relationship to grow and develop. Rhys finally finding and having a family was beautiful. Honorable mention to the friend group! I really enjoyed seeing the series’ previous couples in their element. I am excited to see where things go in the next book!

Content Warnings

Here and Now

Corinne Michaels

4.5

emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Corrine’s small town romances have such a homey family feel. You just watch the couple fall in love in this easy comfortable way. Miles might’ve put in work to convince Penelope to date him but it felt to easy between the two despite her past. I loved seeing them become this beautiful little family. Miles truly loves Kai as much as he does Penelope which is part of what makes it all work. Penelope has been through it and seeing her open up to love and be vulnerable was great. They were meant to find each other. Honorable mention to the hockey scenes with his rambunctious nephew. I recommend this for readers looking for a single mom on the run vibes.

Content Warnings

Promise Me Sunshine

Cara Bastone

5.0

emotional inspiring slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Wow! Just like Lenny, you will feel a deep ache heal while reading this beautiful book. Lenny is working on finding her way back to herself. Until she finds Miles, she is lost in the woods of grief. Even with her grief, Lenny is like a vibrant box of crayons. The friendship they build is beautiful, so supportive. They just understand each other and what they need- even if they can’t figure it out for themselves. And I just have to say it Miles is hot af. A caring, doting, and patient man?? Hot. I was all in on their love story- mildly impatient just like our Lenny. This book is truly fantastic- a perfect mix of romance and personal growth.

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke

Adriana Herrera

4.0

adventurous emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Adriana writes immersive historical romances that find a way to feel rooted in history but also timeless. This series does an excellent job of blending culture and history together. The chemistry and sparks between Apollo and Aurora was my favorite part of the book. Their verbal sparring was simultaneously witty and flirtatious. Apollo was definitely giving “Stop being mean to me or I’m going to fall in love with you” vibes. I loved how all in he was and forced his way past her walls while uplifting her and her work. This one was definitely my favorite of the 3. I recommend this for anyone looking for a historical enemies with benefits moment.

Content Warnings

Deep End

Ali Hazelwood

4.25

emotional funny slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Ali really did it with this one! Lukas is such a babe, like sign me up to be a swimming fan girl. He was so thoughtful and caring, making sure he met Scarlett where she was at and being what she needed. And our girl Scarlett? We love a comeback story and hers with diving is no different. I loved seeing her find her way back to her groove and love of the sport. Lukas and Scarlett were so well matched (and not just talking about the kinks of it all). They were two puzzles pieces that just fit together. They saw each other, while others didn’t understand them. I do wish they communicated more openly about their feelings. It felt a little dragged out. Also, I have to say it- I did not like Pen at all and didn’t want redemption for her. Despite that I really enjoyed this book. I recommend this if you are looking for hot af spice paired with deep emotional connection.

Content Warnings

Dream Girl Drama

Tessa Bailey

3.75

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

In classic Tessa Bailey fashion, this book is out of pocket but does offer up a good time. The entertainment value is what keeps you reading along. This book is heavy on the instalove which I always find too far fetched to truly enjoy. I did enjoy the bond and connection between Sig and Chloe. He is down bad and will do literally anything for her. While Chloe does gain independence, I wanted to see more for her in her journey. I also was bummed that we didn’t get as many scenes with the teammates or Tallulah. This book is for fans of the chaotic and unrealstic vibes of Fan Girl Down.

Content Warnings

First-Time Caller

B.K. Borison

4.5

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

BK Borison knows how to write a romance!! Aiden is such a babe I can’t even deal. I absolutely loved the meet cute involving the radio show. It offered up the best opportunity for Aiden and Lucie to banter. I enjoyed seeing them become friends and fall in love. He is such a sucker for her quickly on. We love a man who is down bad. This book is perfectly sexy while offering ooey gooey sweetness too. Lucie and Aiden help each other in their journeys- both find ways to help the other be vulnerable and open again. I loved this story so much. Honorable mention to Grayson, Mateo, Patty, and Maya. As always, BK writes the cutest little self made families. This Sleepless in Seattle retelling does the original justice while standing firmly on its own. Definitely recommend reading this book!

Content Warnings

Comeback

Rebecca Jenshak

4.25

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Those Holland boys know how to deliver! We have finally made it to Archer’s chance at love and it was as good as expected. Archer is sweet and sensitive while also being fiercely protective of the ones he loves. Sabrina is fun and bubbly and trying to develop a relationship with her newly found brother Brogan. Despite suspicions at the start, Archer and Sabrina quickly get the hots for each other. I loved seeing them open up and build their close bond. Sabrina seemed to understand Archer in a way that he had never had outside of his family. Her support clearly was impactful. Archer loves hard and he quickly found himself all in on his girl. This one was fun and light. Great for fans of a sports romance, this one is two for the price of one- dance and football.

Content Warnings

The Fall Risk

Abby Jimenez

4.0

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

What a fun little short story! I loved the banter and easy conversation between Seth and Charlotte. What better meet up than neighbors stranded in their units because of missing stairs? They develop an easy friendship that turns into mutual crushes. It’s all the fun beginning stages. I also enjoyed that this one was a bit of a 2 for 1 deal with the side romance between their friends. I recommend this for a fun quick little read.

Content Warnings

The Favorites

Layne Fargo

4.0

emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

“This is the last time I'm asking you this
Put my name at the top of your list
This is the last time I'm asking you why
You break my heart in the blink of an eye, eye, eye”

This book is honestly a little sick and twisted. The drama gave me a tummy ache while reading. I appreciated how complex all of the characters were- it was hard to decide if you liked them or not in the end. Katarina and Heath had this very strong push and pull throughout the entire book despite all that happens. Honestly, I found his betrayal to be perhaps the harder to get past. I actually gasped at the moment. The book was a little too long in my opinion. It dragged at the beginning but once it picked up I couldn’t put it down. I recommend this book for fans of Carrie Soto is Back and Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Now I’ll brb but currently have the urge to watch some ice dancing.

Content Warnings

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